Second Afro Asian Games, Algeria postponed
23/07/2007 |
 |
 |
The second Afro-Asian Games, which is scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 4 in Algiers, has been postponed.
Lassana Palenfo, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and Afro-Asian Games Council, said on Saturday that it was impossible to organize the games because "Asians failed to line up the Asian Games gold medalists."
He said he had sent a letter to Algerian Youth and Sports Minister Hachemi Djiar to request the Games to be postponed.
"Africa is ready to host these Games. And we are expecting to host more than 500 athletes from Asia, but unfortunately, less than 150 are ready for the Games," he said, adding that in some sports not a name of a single athlete is on the start-list.
He said that the date for the Afro-Asian Games will be decided after further discussion with Asian counterparts.
Meanwhile, Djaafar Yefsah, Managing Director of the organizing committee of the 9th All Africa Games, said on Friday that as organizers, they were declined to organize a mini Afro-Asian Games.
He said, "Africa is ready and the best of its athletes are herein Algeria. Unfortunately, the Asian side has so far confirmed the participation of only 17 countries."
"Thereby, we flatly refuse to host mini Afro-Asian Games and the ball is now in the opponent's court," he added
(Source: Qatarolympics.org)
|
| Back |
|
|
|
|
 |
